A FLASHBACK
"You cheated this time."
"No, I didn't. You always say that when you lose."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do."
"Liar! I am not playing with you anymore."
"What? Why?"
Katarina walked off, her small feet kicking up dust on the hidden path of their secret garden. The flowers around them seemed to shimmer with a magical glow, a testament to the powers they both possessed. Nicholas watched her retreating figure, feeling a pang of guilt.
"Gosh, why do I always have to surrender first? I didn't even cheat," he muttered under his breath. As the elder prince of a rival kingdom, he was used to winning, but with Katarina, things were different.
As she moved a little farther away, he jogged up to her and caught her hand. Her hand felt warm and familiar, a reminder of countless secret meetings and shared adventures in this enchanted place. Their parents would never acknowledge their friendship, let alone their secret meetings, but that only made their bond stronger.
"What?" she said, turning around with a pout, her eyes reflecting the sunlight like sparkling gems.
"Uh… I… alright, I am sorry," he said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. His powers flickered slightly, causing a nearby flower to bloom instantly.
"And why?" She folded her arms, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. A gentle breeze, stirred by her own powers, rustled the leaves around them.
"Because I cheated," he fake confessed, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He knew she could sense the truth, but he hoped his charm would win her over.
She stared at him for a moment before breaking into a smile. "You're such a bad liar," she said, laughing. The tension melted away, replaced by the innocent joy of their childhood bond.
They continued walking through the garden, their hands still intertwined. The path led them to a hidden pond, its water sparkling with an otherworldly light. They knelt by the edge, using their powers to create ripples and make the fish glow in different colors. Nicholas showed Katarina how to make water lilies bloom with a touch, and she giggled as the flowers opened up in vibrant hues.
"Remember when we found this place?" Katarina asked, her eyes shining with the memory.
"Yeah, we thought it was a secret treasure," Nicholas replied, smiling. "And it kind of is."
They moved on to their treehouse, nestled high in an ancient oak tree. Nicholas had built it with his powers, summoning vines and branches to form a sturdy structure. Katarina had decorated it with flowers and leaves, making it their perfect hideout. They climbed up and settled in, sharing stories and dreams about their kingdoms.
"Do you think our kingdoms will ever be friends?" Katarina asked, her voice tinged with hope.
"I hope so," Nicholas said, looking out over the garden. "Maybe one day."
As the sun began to set, they decided to explore deeper into the garden. They stumbled upon an old, hidden library filled with ancient spells and tales of their ancestors. They spent hours reading and practicing new spells, their bond growing stronger with each discovery. Nicholas often helped Katarina with the more complex spells, guiding her with patience and care.
That night, they sneaked out to the garden to watch a meteor shower. Lying on the soft grass, they made wishes on every shooting star they saw. Nicholas wished for peace between their kingdoms, while Katarina wished for their friendship to last forever. They held hands, feeling the magic of the night and their shared dreams.
---
The next morning, the garden was bathed in the soft glow of dawn. Nicholas and Katarina were back at the pond, their reflections dancing on the water's surface. They had decided to have a contest to see who could create the most beautiful water lily. Nicholas went first, his powers causing a large, vibrant lily to bloom in shades of blue and purple.
"Beat that," he said with a grin.
Katarina concentrated, her hands hovering over the water. Slowly, a delicate lily began to form, its petals a soft pink with golden edges. It was smaller than Nicholas's, but its beauty was undeniable.
"Wow, that's amazing," Nicholas admitted, genuinely impressed.
"Thank you," Katarina said, beaming with pride. "But I think yours is beautiful too."
They spent the rest of the morning playing by the pond, their laughter echoing through the garden. As the day grew warmer, they decided to retreat to their treehouse. Inside, it was cool and shaded, the perfect place to escape the summer heat.
"Do you remember the first time we came here?" Katarina asked, lying on her back and staring up at the ceiling.
"Yeah, you were so scared to climb up," Nicholas teased.
"I was not!" Katarina protested, sitting up. "I was just being careful."
"Sure, sure," Nicholas said, laughing. "But look at you now, climbing up like a pro."
They spent the afternoon in the treehouse, talking about their dreams and fears. Nicholas shared his worries about becoming king one day, and Katarina confided in him about her desire to bring peace between their kingdoms.
"I wish things could be different," Katarina said softly. "I wish our families could see what we see."
"Maybe one day they will," Nicholas said, squeezing her hand. "We just have to keep believing."
As the sun began to set, they decided to explore the hidden library again. This time, they found a book about ancient prophecies. They read about a legend that spoke of two children from rival kingdoms who would bring peace to the land.
"Do you think it's about us?" Katarina asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Maybe," Nicholas said, feeling a sense of destiny. "Maybe we're meant to change things."
They spent the evening practicing spells from the book, their powers growing stronger with each incantation. Nicholas helped Katarina with the more complex spells, guiding her with patience and care. They felt a deep connection, not just as friends, but as partners in a greater purpose.
That night, they sneaked out to the garden again to watch another meteor shower. Lying on the soft grass, they made more wishes on the shooting stars. Nicholas wished for the strength to fulfill their destiny, while Katarina wished for their bond to remain unbreakable.
As they held hands, they felt a surge of magic, as if the universe was acknowledging their wishes. They knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
---
The next day, they decided to explore a new part of the garden. They discovered a hidden grove filled with ancient trees and mystical creatures. They played with the fairies and talked to the wise old owl who lived in the tallest tree.
"Tell us a story," Katarina asked the owl, her eyes shining with curiosity.
The owl hooted softly and began to tell them a tale of a time when the kingdoms were united. It spoke of a great war that tore them apart and the prophecy of two children who would bring peace.
"That sounds like us," Nicholas whispered to Katarina.
"Maybe it is," she whispered back, feeling a sense of hope.
They spent the rest of the day exploring the grove, discovering new wonders and making new friends. They felt a deep sense of belonging, as if they were part of something greater than themselves.
As the sun began to set, they returned to their treehouse, feeling tired but happy. They sat on the balcony, watching the stars come out one by one.
"Do you think we can really change things?" Katarina asked, leaning her head on Nicholas's shoulder.
"I think we already are," Nicholas said, wrapping his arm around her. "We just have to keep believing."
They sat in silence, watching the stars and dreaming of a better future. And so, they spent each day of their childhood together, asking the same questions, dreaming for better, hoping for the best… not knowing that the future awaiting them was far worse....